The present state Constitution, adopted in 1970, provides that the Senate shall consist of 33 to 40 members and the House shall consist of 90 to 100 members. All members of the General Assembly are elected by qualified voters within their respective Senate and House districts.

The terms of office are four years for members of the Senate and two years for members of the House. Members may not hold any other public office during their term of office. The General Assembly’s chief responsibilities are to represent citizens in the formulation of public policy, enact laws of the Commonwealth, approve the budget, levy taxes, elect judges and confirm appointments by the Governor. 

The executive branch does not make laws (the role of the legislature), or interpret them (the role of the judiciary). While the legislative and executive branches often work together on shaping proposed legislation, the role of the executive branch is to enforce the law as written by the legislature and interpreted by the judicial system.

As chief executive, the governor has extensive financial control, broad powers of appointment, and authority over the entire organization and administration of the executive branch. With ready access to the public, the governor has extensive opportunities to focus attention on operations or proposals and to influence public opinion.

This system is comprised of the Supreme Court of Virginia, the Court of Appeals of Virginia, circuit courts in thirty-one judicial circuits, general district and juvenile and domestic relations district courts in thirty-two districts, and magistrates in offices in thirty-two districts. 

The administrative office of the courts, known in Virginia as the Office of the Executive Secretary, supports the administration of the court system under the direction of the Chief Justice and the Executive Secretary.